Prologue

Rain spatters on the large windows that comprise the walls of the hall that leads to the large mansion's dining room. Johnathan Pederson, super-capitalist and major shareholder in Brown Oil located in Boston, is preparing to enjoy dinner with his wife. He continues making his way further down the long hallway, stopping for a moment to catch his breath.

Mr. Pederson stares timidly at himself in the dim reflection of the dark, rain-spattered windows. Time has not been kind. He lost most of his hair years ago. All his colleagues suggested the balding comb over as he was not fond of a hair piece. He shakes his head in regret for taking their advice. I should have just shaved it all off; he thinks to himself running his hand over his smooth hairline. He has also completely forgone any physical activity. His bloated belly hangs nastily, muffin-topping over the finely tailored pants fitted tightly around his waist. His face is wrinkled and withering due to spending all of his good years investing time and again, but now with the enormous wealth, he has run out of time to spend it on adventures. He used to dream of traveling the world, but before he ever had the chance he found himself rich and old.

He doesn't concern himself with all of this too much, though. Money buys many things including beautiful women. His wife for example. They met at a fundraiser. She was witty, beautiful, and charming. Mr. Pederson felt that she looked past his unpleasant appearance. Whether it was the money, or his own charm that won her, he didn't care. She is very passionate and giving, both in and out of the bedroom. It was what he liked most about her. They married only two months after they first met. He knew that he wanted to spend his remaining days with her by his side. He smiles warily at the thought of her sitting by his deathbed. It would be as if all my wasted time would have been worth it.

After his panting subsides, Mr. Pederson continues his way towards the large double doors that lead into the dining hall. One of the many servants living and working in his castle home shuffles past and opens one of the doors allowing him to step through and into the hall. Four large clear glass windows tower over the sizeable dining table that makes up the center of the room. The floors are patterned with jagged stirpes of gold and crimson marble. His wife likened it to a real life Beauty and the Beast dining room. He grins lovingly at her analogy, though he was unsure whether to feel complimented or insulted. He continues into the hall finding a seat at the head of the table.

After a short time, Mrs. Pederson finally enters smiling at him as she passes near running a finger along Mr. Pederson's thick double chin before moving down to the other end of the table. She takes her time admiring the grand dining hall before finally taking her seat. They both stare across the hall at one another. Onlookers would consider their marriage and life to be casually taboo because of their age gap, but Mr. Pederson doesn't care about that. He knows he loves this woman and that she loves him.

Shortly after her arrival, dinner arrives. Servants and butlers pour into the grand hall with the house chef placing trays of food neatly along the spacious table. The chef smiles pridefully as each tray top is removed to reveal the stunning options for tonight's meal. Dishes of lamb sautéed with garlic shrimp, tuna steaks piled atop a mountain of curry and peppers, tortellini mixed with beef in a hardy red sauce; each tray hot to the touch and freshly served with house salad and bread. Mr. Pederson beams as each plate is uncovered and described.

"I will have one serving of everything tonight, Bisson," he calls to his chef.

"Most excellent sir," the chef answers in a thick French accent grinning as he directs each servant to prepare their meals. Mrs. Pederson asks for quarter size servings of lamb and tortellini with a salad. Servants move hastily around the hall laying out the meals for their patrons before bowing and moving towards the exits. Only one servant remains to serve tonight's wine selection, a 1946 Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino Riserva.

The servant is one of his newest as Mr. Pederson recalls. His name is Branson, and he worked for Mrs. Pederson's wife's family for years. He offered him a job with them after she introduced them during the wedding. He's proven to be one of the most loyal and reliable servants that work in the mansion. He carries over a tray with two glasses and places one in front of Mr. Pederson before presenting him the bottle and serving the wine. Branson then nods and moves down the hall and attends to Mrs. Pederson as well.

Finally, Mr. and Mrs. Pederson begin to eat. Branson glides over to a small vinyl record player and lightens the room with Ellens dritter Gesang by Franz Schubert. As soon as Mr. Pederson takes his first bite of tuna and curry the spices heat up his mouth at an alarming rate. He looks to his wine for relief, woofing down the entire glass and ordering another by gesturing towards Branson. Branson makes his way over and fills the fine crystal chalice, then moves back stationing himself at a small table along the wall and setting the wine bottle down among several others. Mrs. Pederson smiles at her husband as she finishes her salad and moves onto their main course.

Mr. Pederson again begins his consumption of the night's meal. He finds everything to be exquisite, if not a bit spicy. After he cannot take the spice any longer and scarfs back another glass, gesturing again for another refill. Branson returns, pouring wine into the glass and returning to his station. Mr. Pederson finishes his drink again and resumes eating.

Suddenly, Mr. Pederson falls into a coughing fit, his hand gripping his chest. He wheezes heavily gripping the edges of the table, his knuckles white looking over at his wife. She hasn't moved. She stares at him sympathetically as Schubert's tune consumes the hall. He looks to Branson, who is smirking and rocking the wine bottle back in fourth before he sets it back onto the small table. Mr. Pederson tries to call out, but only manages to gurgle before falling to the floor, his body seizing and convulsing wildly. Finally, he stops moving, lying dead across the elegant flooring. Mrs. Pederson smiles wickedly and finishes her meal.

AN: This is the sequel to Christifornication. I highly suggest you read that first and then this. For my returning followers, I may not be updating daily like I did on the first story, but updates will still be frequent. Stay tuned for more! :)